2008 Woodie Awards
Campus reacts to celebrations gone wrong
University officials release strict guidelines for students during upcoming World Series games
Jenn O'Callaghan
Issue date: 10/27/04 Section: News
Due to the events unfolding after the Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant, guests will not be permitted in Suffolk University residence halls on "Potential [World] Series Ending Game Days." The decision comes after the city of Boston mandated that area colleges and universities review their policies affecting post-World Series student behavior.
In a letter issued on Oct. 26 to all resident students, Director of Residence Life and Summer Programs Maureen Wark said, "Our primary concern is safety in the residence halls and we feel that, given the climate this week, it is necessary to limit access to the residence halls to resident students only."
The guest restriction will be in effect from noon to 6 a.m. on game days, beginning after either Boston or St. Louis wins a third game in the best-of-seven series. According to the letter issued by Wark, resident students will be able to visit each residence hall. Students in violation of this no-guest policy "will be subject to disciplinary action, including loss of guest privileges," according to the letter.
Additional Resident Assistants will be present at dorms on game nights, and additional Suffolk Police coverage will be applied as well, the letter said.
"Sadly, athletic success has been marred by the actions of unruly mobs in the past year, resulting in the deaths of two young people," said Suffolk President David J. Sargent in a letter to the student community, also issued on Oct. 26. "We expect you to exhibit responsible behavior as you cheer our team to victory," Sargent said.
Minutes after the Red Sox won Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees in New York, thousands of fans in Boston began gathering in the streets around Fenway Park to celebrate the historic victory.
Television news stations featured live coverage of the crowds around Fenway, as well as police, many in riot gear and others mounted on horses. The images showed groups of fans around the ball park climbing trees and lampposts, lighting small fires, setting off fireworks, vandalizing signs and vehicles and having confrontations with police.